Job Description
Kitchen / Direct Services Coordinator
Housing Matters partners with individuals and families to create pathways out of their homelessness into permanent housing. We are a leader in working to end homelessness – and we want you to be part of our team! We are looking for individuals eager to make a difference and willing to enthusiastically commit to join in our vision that homelessness in Santa Cruz County should be rare, brief, and non-recurring.
Working under the supervision of the Recuperative Care Center, this position is responsible for prepping, cooking, and providing transport of meals from Housing Matters to RCC residential participants. The ideal candidate will be able to work alongside campus shelter DSCs and be immersed in running an institutional kitchen while practicing safe food handling standards and procedures.
Hours and Benefits
The Kitchen / DSC is a full-time, hourly, non-exempt position, eligible for medical, dental, vision, 403b, and our generous PTO plan.
Regularly scheduled shifts Monday-Friday from 10 am to 6 pm
Wages
Kitchen / DSC Pay Band
$20.06 $21.07 $22.12 $23.23 $24.39 $25.61
Kitchen / DSC Starting Wage (DOE):
$20.06 $21.07
Preferred Experience
Minimum of 1 year of prior institutional cooking experience (school cafeteria, prison, shelter) preparing food for large volumes of people preferred.
Special Requirements
Regular standing, walking, sitting, crouching, stooping, and communication are required.
Requires manual dexterity for regular repetitive finger motion and frequent reaching, pulling, pushing, and lifting objects and operating equipment.
Requires the ability to lift 60 lbs.
Must be Serve-safe certified.
Must have a valid California Drivers License, insurance, and registered vehicle
Thorough knowledge of:
Properly operating kitchen equipment
Kitchen cleaning and safety procedures
Kitchen organizational skills
Food Handling
Customer service skills
Typical Job Duties:
Preparing, cooking, and serving meals. Food prepared must meet quality and Serve-safe standards for taste, temperature (doneness), and visual appeal.
Safely use all equipment according to proper procedures – stove, title skillet, kettle, convection ovens, can openers, knives, steam tables, ice wands, trash compactor, carts).
Wash dishes and kitchen equipment.
Transport meals to Recuperative Care Center
Following opening and closing procedures.
Maintaining and following cleaning and sanitizing protocols to ensure a safe environment.
Supporting shelter programs and day services
Maintaining a safe, secure, and clean environment
Be available to answer questions and problem-solve with shelter guests
Distribute snacks and supplies when available
Understand and apply housing first and harm reduction strategies
Maintain and role model professional boundaries at all times
Respond appropriately to potential encounters using de‐escalation techniques
Call upon community resources for assistance when appropriate
Maintain curfew and visiting policy specific to each program
Communicate with staff via email or during shift handoffs
When appropriate, complete Incident Reports per policy guidelines
Review and maintain accurate documentation for each program
Provide support to program staff
Attend staff and agency trainings and meetings as required
Other duties as assigned
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment at Housing Matters without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition (including cancer-related and genetic characteristics), marital status, sexual orientation, age (over 18), veteran status, gender, pregnancy, or any other non-merit factor unrelated to job duties. Such action shall include, but not be limited to, the following: recruitment; advertising, layoff or termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation, selection for training (including apprenticeship), employment, upgrading, demotion, or transfer.